Copper

About Copper

Copper is a soft, ductile, and highly conductive metal that has been used by human societies since antiquity. Gold and meteoric iron were the only metals in common use prior to copper’s discovery circa 9000 BCE. This early use was facilitated by the existence of native copper deposits, which could be worked cold due to the softness of the metal. However, native copper is not particularly common, and eventually the process smelting of copper from ore was developed, which in turn led to the accidental discovery of alloying.

Adding another metal to copper increases its hardness and makes it easier to cast, making the metal considerably more useful. This occurred initially through the smelting of copper ores that contained small amounts of other metals, often arsenic and silicon, to produce a natural bronze. Later, it was discovered that bronze could be produced intentionally by adding tin to copper melt. This advance occurred between 4500 BCE and 600 BCE in different regions of the world. Bronze production is now recognized to be such a key technological achievement that the period in any society between this discovery and the development of iron smelting is often referred to as the “Bronze Age”.

The introduction of bronze allowed for the protection of harder, more durable metal tools and weapons. Bronze was so essential to civilizations of this period that history was shaped by the trade of the relatively rare tin ore necessary for its production. Though copper was easier to come by, its sources were also significant to ancient societies, and in fact lead to the naming of the element. In the Roman empire, copper was most often mined on the island of Cyprus, and the modern name of the metal is derived from the latin cuprum, which itself was derived from cyprium, meaning “metal of Cyprus”.

Though for many uses, alloys have preferable properties to pure copper metal, architecture has made use of elemental copper since ancient times. The patina that the metal develops over time provides a natural coating that makes it extremely durable and low-maintenance, and its malleability lends it to being molded into desired shapes. Today, copper in architecture is most often seen in roofing, flashings, rain gutters, and downspouts.

Metals other than tin came into use for alloying with copper later in history, especially nickel and zinc. Brass, an alloy of zinc and copper, is more malleable than either individual meta, easier to cast and has excellent acoustic properties. Initially, brass was used in coins and for decorative purposes, while today it is used extensively in brass musical instruments, for plumbing and electrical applications, and in applications such as lock where low metal-on-metal friction is required. Cupronickel alloys, including ancient Chinese paktong and european nickel silver or German silver, were initially used in a variety of applications, and still find use in the production of coins, plumbing fixtures, and musical instruments. Copper is also found in some gold alloys and in sterling silver.

In addition to using copper and its alloys widely for tools, instruments, currency, and building materials, ancient societies took advantage of copper for its antimicrobial properties. Though the ancient Egyptians did not understand that the copper was preventing the growth of microscopic organisms, they did recognized that water stored in copper vessels went foul less frequently, and that wounds dressed with copper tended to heal better. Today copper is still used in this capacity in a variety of settings, most notably hospitals, where coatings of copper on frequently-touched surfaces helps to limit the spread of disease-causing organisms.

Current applications for copper make frequent use of one of its properties that was not of particular interest for most of our history: electrical conductivity. Copper can be easily drawn into wires, and is the preferred electrical conductor for most wiring applications--roughly half of all copper mined is used in this way. In addition to being highly conductive, copper has high tensile strength, low thermal expansion, and resists corrosion and creep, properties which together result in reliable circuitry. The high conductivity of copper also enhances the energy efficiency of electric motors. Copper is likewise found in electronic devices such as electromagnets, vacuum tubes, magnetrons, and microwaves. Heat sinks and heat exchangers in electronic devices also sometimes use copper, as it dissipates heat more quickly than the most common alternative, aluminum.

Copper compounds also have many notable uses. Copper oxides and carbonates are used in pigments and glassmaking, and copper sulfate can be used as an herbicide, fungicide, and pesticide, as well as a chemical reagent in organic synthesis. Several copper compounds are semiconductors, including copper (I) oxide, one of the materials in which many semiconductor applications were first investigated. Today, copper semiconductors mostly find use in thin film solar cells. Copper can also be a component of high-temperature superconductors, and copper is used frequently in organic synthesis as a catalyst.

Naturally-occurring metallic copper has at times played a significant role in commercial supply of the metal, but most copper is found in sulfide, carbonate, and oxide minerals. Copper sulfides are the major copper ore, and after separation from iron and other unwanted material, these are roasted to produce the oxide. Copper oxide is then converted to blister copper through heating, and further purified through electrorefining. Copper is also recyclable without any loss in quality, and is the third most recycled metal after iron and aluminum.

Copper is used as a building material, a conductor of heat and electricity, and as a component of various metal alloys. Due to its high electrical conductivity, large amounts of copper are used by the electrical industry for wire. Since copper is resistant to corrosion caused by moisture, it is widely used in pipes, coins, and jewelry. Copper too soft to be used alone in most applications, so it is instead incorporated in numerous alloys. For example, brass is a copper-zinc alloy, and bronze is a copper-tin alloy. Copper sulfate (CuSO4· H2O), also known as blue vitrol, is the most well-known copper compound. It is used as an agricultural poison, an algicide, and as a pigment for inks. Cuprous chloride (CuCl) is a powder used to absorb carbon dioxide (CO2). Copper cyanide (CuCN) is often used in electroplating applications. Copper is available as metal and compounds with purities from 99% to 99.999% (ACS grade to ultra-high purity). Elemental or metallic forms include pellets, rod, wire and granules for evaporation source material purposes. Copper nanoparticles and nanopowders are also available. Oxides are available in powder and dense pellet form for such uses as optical coating and thin film applications. Oxides tend to be insoluble. Fluorides are another insoluble form for uses in which oxygen is undesirable such as metallurgy, chemical and physical vapor deposition and in some optical coatings. Copper is also available in soluble forms including chlorides, nitrates and acetates. These compounds can be manufactured as solutions at specified stoichiometries.

Copper Properties

Copper is a Block D, Group 11, Period 4 element. The number of electrons in each of copper's shells is 2, 8, 18, 1 and its electron configuration is [Ar] 3d10 4s1. The copper atom has a radius of 127.8 .pm and its Van der Waals radius is 140.pm. In its elemental form, CAS 7440-50-8, copper has a red-orange metallic luster appearance. Of all pure metals, only silver has a higher electrical conductivity. Copper was first discovered by Early Man. The origin of the word copper comes from the Latin word 'cuprium' which translates as "metal of Cyprus". Cyprus, a Mediterranean island, was known as an ancient source of mined copper.

Health, Safety & Transportation Information for Copper

Copper is an essential trace element in animals and plants, but in excess copper is toxic. Safety data for Copper and its compounds can vary widely depending on the form. For potential hazard information, toxicity, and road, sea and air transportation limitations, such as DOT Hazard Class, DOT Number, EU Number, NFPA Health rating and RTECS Class, please see the specific material or compound referenced in the Products tab. The below information applies to elemental (metallic) Copper.

SECTION 3. COMPOSITION/INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS

SECTION 4. FIRST AID MEASURES

Description of first aid measures
General information
No special measures required.
After inhalation
Seek medical treatment in case of complaints.
After skin contact
Generally the product does not irritate the skin.
After eye contact
Rinse opened eye for several minutes under running water. If symptoms persist, consult a doctor.
After swallowing
If symptoms persist consult doctor.
Information for doctor
Most important symptoms and effects, both acute and delayed
No further relevant information available.
Indication of any immediate medical attention and special treatment needed
No further relevant information available.

SECTION 5. FIREFIGHTING MEASURES

Extinguishing media
Suitable extinguishing agents
Special powder for metal fires. Do not use water.
For safety reasons unsuitable extinguishing agents
Water
Special hazards arising from the substance or mixture
If this product is involved in a fire, the following can be released:
Copper oxides
Advice for firefighters
Protective equipment:
No special measures required.

SECTION 6. ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES

Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures
Not required.
Environmental precautions:
Do not allow material to be released to the environment without proper governmental permits.
Do not allow product to reach sewage system or any water course.
Do not allow to penetrate the ground/soil.
Methods and material for containment and cleaning up:
Pick up mechanically.
Prevention of secondary hazards:
No special measures required.
Reference to other sections
See Section 7 for information on safe handling
See Section 8 for information on personal protection equipment.
See Section 13 for disposal information.

SECTION 7. HANDLING AND STORAGE

Handling
Precautions for safe handling
Keep container tightly sealed.
Store in cool, dry place in tightly closed containers.
Information about protection against explosions and fires:
No special measures required.
Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities
Storage
Requirements to be met by storerooms and receptacles:
No special requirements.
Information about storage in one common storage facility:
No information known.
Further information about storage conditions:
Keep container tightly sealed.
Store in cool, dry conditions in well sealed containers.
Specific end use(s)
No further relevant information available.

SECTION 10. STABILITY AND REACTIVITY

Reactivity
No information known.
Chemical stability
Stable under recommended storage conditions
Thermal decomposition / conditions to be avoided:
Decomposition will not occur if used and stored according to specifications.
Possibility of hazardous reactions
No dangerous reactions known
Conditions to avoid
No further relevant information available.
Incompatible materials:
No information known.
Hazardous decomposition products:
Copper oxides

SECTION 12. ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION

Toxicity
Aquatic toxicity:
No further relevant information available.
Persistence and degradability
No further relevant information available.
Bioaccumulative potential
No further relevant information available.
Mobility in soil
No further relevant information available.
Additional ecological information:
General notes:
Do not allow material to be released to the environment without proper governmental permits.
Do not allow undiluted product or large quantities to reach ground water, water course or sewage system.
Avoid transfer into the environment.
Results of PBT and vPvB assessment
PBT: Not applicable.
vPvB: Not applicable.
Other adverse effects
No further relevant information available.

SECTION 13. DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS

Waste treatment methods
Recommendation
Consult state, local or national regulations to ensure proper disposal.
Uncleaned packagings:
Recommendation:
Disposal must be made according to official regulations.

SECTION 15. REGULATORY INFORMATION

Safety, health and environmental regulations/legislation specific for the substance or mixture
National regulations
All components of this product are listed in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Toxic Substances Control Act Chemical substance Inventory.
All components of this product are listed on the Canadian Domestic Substances List (DSL).
SARA Section 313 (specific toxic chemical listings)
7440-50-8 Copper
California Proposition 65
Prop 65 - Chemicals known to cause cancer
Substance is not listed.
Prop 65 - Developmental toxicity
Substance is not listed.
Prop 65 - Developmental toxicity, female
Substance is not listed.
Prop 65 - Developmental toxicity, male
Substance is not listed.
Information about limitation of use:
For use only by technically qualified individuals.
Other regulations, limitations and prohibitive regulations
Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC) according to the REACH Regulations (EC) No. 1907/2006.
Substance is not listed.
The conditions of restrictions according to Article 67 and Annex XVII of the Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH) for the manufacturing, placing on the market and use must be observed.
Substance is not listed.
Annex XIV of the REACH Regulations (requiring Authorisation for use)
Substance is not listed.
REACH - Pre-registered substances
Substance is listed.
Chemical safety assessment:
A Chemical Safety Assessment has not been carried out

16. OTHER INFORMATION

Safety Data Sheet according to Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006 (REACH). The above information is believed to be correct but does not purport to be all inclusive and shall be used only as a guide. The information in this document is based on the present state of our knowledge and is applicable to the product with regard to appropriate safety precautions. It does not represent any guarantee of the properties of the product. American Elements shall not be held liable for any damage resulting from handling or from contact with the above product. See reverse side of invoice or packing slip for additional terms and conditions of sale. COPYRIGHT 1997-2016 AMERICAN ELEMENTS. LICENSED GRANTED TO MAKE UNLIMITED PAPER COPIES FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY.